A clenched feeling you can't let go of
Worse with stress, sitting or after workouts, and it tends to come and go rather than follow an injury.
It can feel like a clench you can’t release, especially with stress, sitting or after workouts. Urinating, bowel movements or sex may hurt or feel blocked. Pain can spread to the hips, groin, low back or inner thighs.
A non relaxing pelvic floor usually reflects tight, poorly coordinated muscles rather than damage. Instead of lengthening when you breathe, urinate or have a bowel movement, the muscles stay braced. That can create tender spots and squeeze nearby nerves. Over time the nervous system becomes more protective, and sensations feel louder.
I treat the tight muscles of the pelvic floor, hips and abdominal wall with dry needling, a form of acupuncture. The pudendal nerve leaves the pelvis just below the piriformis, and a tight piriformis can crowd it there, so I release that muscle. Alongside treatment, I give guidance on breathing and on gradually returning to activity.
Most people have had medication for urgency, spasm or anxiety, along with imaging and stretching programs. Medication can ease symptoms without changing how the muscles hold tension. Imaging rules out serious problems but doesn’t show coordination or tender spots in muscle. Stretching helps some people, while others find it flares a guarded pelvic floor. If you’ve tried pelvic floor PT, it likely didn’t include needling. New York bars PTs and chiropractors from dry needling.
I start by asking what sets off your symptoms, how long you can sit, and how your bladder and bowels behave. Then the exam:
I coordinate with urology, gynecology, gastroenterology, primary care and pelvic floor PT. If my exam turns up something one of them should see, I’ll tell you and, with your permission, share the findings.
They overlap. Non relaxing describes trouble letting go when you need to. Vaginismus is the term used when penetration is limited by pain and protective tightening. Many people have a mix, and treatment follows what the exam shows.
Not always, and many people have already had testing. Symptoms that are new, severe or changing quickly should be checked by a doctor first.
They work well together. PT focuses on retraining and exercise. I use dry needling to ease tight muscle, which can make that retraining easier to hold.
Not always. Many contributors are in the hips, inner thighs, abdominal wall and low back. Releasing the piriformis, for example, can take pressure off the pudendal nerve. If the pelvic floor muscles need treatment, I explain the options and reasons first.
Avoid aggressive stretching, forcing yourself to relax, or hard training that reliably flares you. I’ll give specific guidance on sitting, breathing and activity based on your triggers.
See a doctor promptly if symptoms come with fever, blood in your urine or stool, or unexplained weight loss. The same applies to symptoms that are new, severe or rapidly getting worse.
Adults with pelvic floor, nerve and orthopedic pain, along with neurological conditions. Most of my patients come to me after other care hasn't fully settled things. If you're looking for general wellness acupuncture, I'm not the right fit.
We review your history and what you've already tried. I assess the muscles and nerves involved, and you're treated the same day.
It depends on the condition. Pelvic and orthopedic plans usually run 4 to 6 weeks. Neurological plans are usually 2 visits a week for 6 weeks or 3 a week for 4. After that, visits space out so the changes hold. These are typical timelines, not promises.
Yes. I work alongside doctors, physical therapists and specialists. If something I find needs a closer look from one of them, I'll tell you.
I'm an out-of-network provider. You pay at the time of your visit, and my office submits the claim so any reimbursement comes to you. Free benefit checks are available before your first visit through the verification form, and HSA and FSA cards work. I don't take Medicare or Medicaid, though some Medicare Advantage plans reimburse out-of-network care. Full insurance details
Yes. I treat adults, teens and children, though I don't specialize in infants or toddlers.
Yes. Book a free discovery call to ask your questions and see whether we're a good fit.
Dry needling is a form of acupuncture. Fine needles go into tight bands of muscle and trigger points to lower muscle tension and change how the area is signaling.
You may feel a brief twitch or a deep ache as the needle reaches tight muscle. It passes quickly, and any soreness afterward usually fades within a day or two.
It's generally safe with a properly trained practitioner. Needles are sterile and single-use, and I check your health history first, including blood thinners. In New York, dry needling can only be performed by licensed acupuncturists, MDs and DOs. Physical therapists and chiropractors aren't permitted to perform it.
Eat something light beforehand and wear loose clothing that lets me reach the area being treated.
Usually not. Ultrasound helps in a few specific cases, but it hasn't been shown to improve results for common trigger points. A careful hands-on exam is what guides the needle. More on ultrasound-guided dry needling
Dry needling aimed at the pelvic floor and the hip and abdominal muscles around it, for pain, tension and urinary symptoms driven by those muscles and their nerves. More on pelvic floor dry needling
Sometimes, depending on the muscles involved, and you'll be draped throughout. Treatment always follows your consent and comfort. I don't do internal exams or internal treatment.
No, though it helps if you've already seen a doctor or pelvic floor physical therapist. Bring any notes or imaging you have.
Completely. I've heard it all, and there's no judgment here, just a straightforward conversation so we can treat what's going on.
Yes, I treat adults of every gender and identity. After gender-affirming surgery involving the pelvis, bring your surgical notes and we'll decide together what fits.
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118 W. 72nd St, Rear Lobby, New York, NY 10023
Evidence-based acupuncture and dry needling on the Upper West Side. From chronic pain and headaches to pelvic floor dysfunction, Dr. Jordan Barber pairs the highest level of training with care that actually listens.
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